Reviews

Revenge of the Barbary Ghost by Victoria Hamilton

thunguyen's review against another edition

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4.0

Straight after the events of The howl in the dark, I thought we were done with Lady Anne and Darkefell's romance, now that it is quite well established that they had feelings to each other. I thought we could move on to some serious murder investigations. How wrong I was! The 2nd installment in this series has almost no sleuthing element. It's romance, romance, and more romance. And I've got sucked into it wholeheartedly by the push and pull in their relationship. He kept pulling and she kept pushing him away.

....“I know your education has taught you that women are to be guarded, for their virtue rests on the fragile knife edge between their physical strength and their moral understanding, both so much less than a man’s as to give their guardians justification for interfering in their life at every turn.” She shook her head. “But I thought you were capable of independent thought, that you had begun to take me at my word, and to trust that there was some measure of intelligence in my brain. Go find a woman who wants your interference. Go, damn you. Find a lady who will wish to be protected and coddled and cosseted and kept from any kind of life! That is not me!”
And she was gone....


Lady Anne must be a single lady with the most aversion to marriage in all of the historical romances I've ever read. Why, it's been 2 books already, and Darkefell had proved himself time and time again the most noble man to trust. But damn her independence. And damn the world of men who gave women no freedom for thousands of years.

shai3d's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

arthistorygirl's review

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5.0

I have really been enjoying this series. I recommend if you enjoy 19th-century forays with mystery, strong females, and swoon-worthy male leads.

oomenseyeball's review

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2.0

*2.5*

vesper1931's review

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4.0

Two weeks have passed since Lady Anne Addison left Yorkshire. She is now staying in Cornwall, at the village of St. Wyllow with her old friends, brother and sister Pamela and Marcus St. James. But all is not well and as she spends a night on the cliff she sees The Barbary Ghost and what looks like smugglers down on the beach. So Lady Anne decides to investigate. Meanwhile Lord Darkefell has come looking for her.
Although this can be read as a standalone details from the first book are mentioned, and you can also read how these characters are developing.
Again, another delightful well-written Georgian mystery, with a touch of romance. I have enjoyed reading about these characters and not just the two main ones.
A NetGalley Book

krisrid's review

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4.0

I enjoyed book two, with a small quibble. About the 3/4s mark I was getting very annoyed with the "will she / won't she" drama Anne cannot get past about her feelings for Darkfell. I wanted to shake her soundly and shout: "MAKE A DECISION!" Although I want them to get together, at that point I wouldn't even have cared if she said "no", I was just irritated by her unceasing drama about her feelings and how she would have to give up her independence to marry him. It was over-wrought and too much for me.

That said, the plot was very entertaining and a well-constructed story to wrap around, and, thankfully distract from the contstant hand-wringing by Anne over Tony. I enjoyed the ghost's story, and the smuggling side-plot very much.

I am continuing with this series, because the set-up for the next book at the end of this one was very intriguing, but if there is not a resolution between Anne and Darkfell by the end of the next book I will be seriously annoyed. We shall see!

nicfigmentfan8's review

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

jillmlong's review

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4.0

What is not to like about this book? It has a little bit of everything...smart characters, romance and mystery! I enjoyed the writing and little details that made this book hard to put down.

annarella's review

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4.0

It was a lot fun to read, as much as the first installment.
The series seems to be improving and this book is engaging and entertaining.
I liked the cast of characters, the plot and the gothic atmosphere.
I look forward to reading the next installment.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
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